GONZALES – Officials in Livingston and Ascension parishes are looking into building a toll road between them to relieve traffic congestion.

Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez has been in talks with Livingston Parish President Mike Grimmer about the road, which would extend from South Walker Road at La. 16 to La. 42 near La. 933.

The road would also require the parishes to build another bridge over the Amite River north of Port Vincent. One bridge already extends over the river from Port Vincent, which is where officials say traffic currently gets backed up as people head to work at plants across the river.

“We think it's a feasible project,” said Martinez on Tuesday. “We're trying to do something positive and help alleviate the traffic, and this is just a small part of it. Anything we can do to help with traffic in Ascension and Livingston needs to be looked at.”

The plan is in its early stages, and would require environmental studies and partial state funding before moving forward.